Any Chemists or Scientists out there?

I graduated 3 years ago with a BS in Chemistry and I started my career working for a pharmaceuticals company as an analytical chemist.
I'm curious to know what's your industry and discipline? How many years you have been working for? Do you love your job? How did you break into your discipline?
Most of the jobs chemistry related tends to be quality control, method development analytical work, and formulations product development.

 

I have a BS in Biology and BS in Broad Field Science, but I entered education. I am certified to teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc. in Wisconsin and have taught all of them, along with some engineering.

 

I work in Medical Device- distraction osteogenesis using autologous mesenchymal and hematapoietic stems cells.

I make bone.

 

I speak your language. Very cool. I had the chance to spend a week at Morgridge Institute to learn about and work with stem cell technologies. I passed up a chance to talk to Dr. James Thomson. What was I going to say? "Hey, great job with your pioneering stem cell line work. I teach teenagers."

 

I recently graduated with a degree in environmental science and minors in bio and chem. My school had a brew club and I joined that because who doesn’t like beer? I ended up really getting into it and learned that it was actually a viable career path for a scientist. I’m now the head brewer at a local winery, distillery and brewery. It’s amazing what you can get into with different science degrees.

 

Large breweries have PhD's on staff for brewing!

 

Yeah exactly.. most of them have full analytical laboratories for cell counts, propagation, all of the acids, grain/hops, basically everything

 

Nice! We primarily work in the operating room. The graft we use is a polylactide co-glycolide (PLGA) with added hyaluronic acid to help maintain cell viability. After bone marrow aspiration, our two step system removes erythrocytes, and excess plasma while concentrating MSC/HSC populations. The stem cell concentrate is applied to the PLGA, in various matrices, and placed in-vivo. Typically in Spine fusion.

 

Chemist here, my degree is bs in chemistry with minor in biology, majority of my career has been in analytical chemistry working in both pharma and bio-analytical/forensics in CRO and CMO companies. 25 years in and currently manage qc and analytical development in a CMO pharma company. I love the problem solving, method development, and R&D aspects as well as teaching and mentoring the newer analysts. Hate the endless stream of paperwork that accompanies working in a GMP environment but it's an integral part of the job. The brewing gig mentioned above, that would be fun! I've dabbled in home brewing a little in the past.

 

I previously worked for a well known pharm company in West Virginia. It was a great company to work for with an excellent training program. I learned how to maintain LC’s and GC’s. Prepare mobile phases and established system suitability with weighed out standards. Prepare samples once system suitability requirements have been met and run the complete sample set. Afterwards process the data for review.
The company started downsizing after purchasing a few companies to reduce redundancy. Many took the voluntary severance packages the company offered and looked for new opportunities. I decided to stay a little while longer and started a job search for a new opportunity.
I obtained an analytical development chemist position with a small pharma CMO company in TN and currently been there for 4 months. I like that I am involved in the development of the methods that QC follows to test the product for the clients.
The workload is heavy at my new position and I have been working 50+ hours a week but we are paid hourly so we get time and a half after 40 hours. I was salary at my old job so it’s nice.
I was curious about everyone’s experience in the respective industries everyone decided to follow. Thanks for you guys responses.

 

I'm a gynecologist does that count?

 

I play a doctor on TV

 

Professional resource geologist looking for uranium deposits in canada... and some consulting on the side

 

House?

 

I know how to make Meth, does that count?

 

I wouldn't tell too maany people about that

 

So you’re a drug engineer? Lol!
Seriously, I get that joke all the time when I tell everyone my occupation.

 

Wow! That sounds like a dream job.
Small Department with only 6 coworkers and you don’t get in trouble with HR for anything.

 

That's what Stormy Daniels said too.

 

The Porn Star that got fired from the Vegas night club?
Guess that plan backfired on her.